Automatic phonograph



Oei. 11, 1949. c. G. JOHNSON AUTOMATIC PHoNoGRAPH 5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed March 31, 1945 .lllIIIlIIIIJIIHIIIllV IN VEN TOR. azfl 6'; lms'ozz AmRNEY Oct. 1l, 1949.

c. G. JOHNSON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed March 3l, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,/92 fa 1057 I0! J0 106 107,109

INVENTOR.

BY y M' 4m/RNW Oct. l1, 1949. c. G. JOHNSON 2,484,570

AUTOMATIC PHoNoGRAPH Filed March 51, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 5 INVENToR.

Y ATTORNEY 0ct. 11, 1949. c. G. JOHNSON AUTOMATIK: PHONOGRAPH Filed March '31, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Car] Jajzzzgozz ATTORNEY Oct. 11, 1949. l C, Q JOHNSN 2,484,570

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Marchal, 1945 ssheets-sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1l, 1949 oNiTE-lf3- PATE-*NT oFF-rcs Carl vGif Jl'u'isong Chicago, YIlll, assignor to JQP. Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation '0f Illintis` Application March 31, 19m-:serial No. 585,901 9 claims: (01.2741-10) This invention relateso-automatic' phoni graphs and primarily to automatic phonographsA of the -type inwhich a--stack of records is main# tained-by a plurality of escapement heads above a turntable, whichf-heads are actuated periodi'v cally toA drop thelowermost'record of the stack on' to the turntable for reproduction.

One of the principal objects 4of the invention is to provide an improved automatic phonograph of this typewith improved means' for terminating the operation-of the phonograph when the last record of the sta'ckfhas-beenfdropped and reproduced.

A further objectpf the invention is to provide an automatic phonograph of Ithis Atype in which all the escapement -heads'are interconnectedy for simultaneous actuation by one 'of-'-themf and-in which the mechanical-drive v`'of the escapement heads may be `disconnected bymanualm'anipulaa tionof oneof them'wherebyf-the heads maybe positioned for records l`of different sizes andfmay be moved simultaneously' to inoperative position for the removalv of lrecords Aironi-the-turr1table.

A further object ofthefinvention'is -to provide an improved automatic phonograph-'off-this type in which means are I'associated'with 'the escape-- ment heads for'itermintingthe *operation* of'the phonograph in 'all positions `of' adjustment of the escapement heads."

A further `object of the' invention is Itfpovide an improved phonogiaph'fof'fthis type" in 'whichmeans are providedfor preventing?termination of the operation oftheii-phonog'rapli by"`m'anual movement of the *esapement heads."-

Otheruobjects, advantages'and capabilities of the invent-ion f will appear from fthe"j following description of a"pre ferr'`d embodiment theeofgf taken in conjunction withfthe-l accompanying drawings, in which g l Figure 1 is an invertedplanviewbr the 'phor''o` graph, the elements' 'being 's'l'iowri at the Ipart 'of the cycle after'a'-twelve inchf'rcrd has been dropped and the"l player arml has fm'ovd into initial playingA positi'o'nbver the "record Lori-the turntable; n

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the phonograph.;

Fig. 3A is a plan viewof "the phonograph on reduced scale, the escapement heads; being'posi-V tioned'for the reception'of ten-inch'recorde;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentarysectonal elevationviewl taken on the line 4-4 of-Fig.-'3A

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig; 6 isv a fragmentaryl inverted plan view showing the mechanism interconnecting the es# capement heads lin* one extreme position whereY a twelve `inch record isfbeing dropped;

Fig.v '7 is a similar view showing -this mechanism and the escapement members 'manually' thrown tojtheir opposite extreme-position for removal of records from the turntable;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevationy through one of the escapement heads Vand associated parts;

FigQQ is an elevationalviewof the escapement headof Fig.' S, the escapement head being manuallyelevated for Apurposes of adjustment;

Fig.:` 10 is a ysectional detail takenl on the line ll of Fig. 9;

Fig:r 11 is aplan view of the other escapement head;

Fig;i 12 is a sectionalelevation thereof, the section being taken onthe broken line l2-l2 of Fig. 11;

Figf 13 is a fragmentary inverted plan view showing'the mechanism `fo1'-stopping.the phono- ,gr-apli during the playing of a ten inchV record;

K Fig; 14 lis a similar View showing this mechanisvm during the record changingv cycle after the playingof Ythe last ten inch record;

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the'mechanism in its position where it has'just opened the motor switch;

Fig.` 16 is an inverted-planA view showing the control bar-and associated Ymechanism in position for manual operation Fi-g. l''is an inverted plan View showing the camfgearand associated elements during the playing Yof a twelve -inch record, the lower cam being-omitted for clarity;

Fig. 1891s an inverted plan view'showing the manner 'in which the vtrip lis actuated by inward movementV of the player arm by a spiral groove; Fig.A 19 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken on the-line I5`l9 of Fig. 17;

"Fig 20 is a fragmentary invertedplan View showing the trip mechanism;and

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevationaldetail showing themanner in which vthe record changing mechanism is-held out'of operation in manual operation.

Referring to the drawings, the mechanism is mounted-Ona base plate or motor. board 2li which is dished at 2l for accommodation of the-turn' table 22. The turntable 22 is rigidly carried by the Aspindle 23 which is rotatably mounted in bearings carriedbya bracket 24 supported by the motor board 20. The turntable is driven by a motor 25, mounted on the motor board 20, by means of a rubber tired Wheel 26 which engages the depending flange 21 of the turntable.

The motor is controlled by a switch 28 which is actuated by a switch arm 29. The switch arm carries a pin 30 which extends into a slot 3| in a bar 32 which is slidably mounted on the underside of the motor board 20. The bar 32 carries a button 33 which projects upwardly through the motor board for manual manipulation. the button 33 is in the position shown in Fig. 3A, the pin 33 is in the laterally displaced portion 34 of the slot 3|, the switch 28 is open and the motor is stopped. The bar 32 is held in this position by engagement of a spring pressed detent 35 with a recess 36 in an edge of the bar 32. lIn all other positions of the bar 32 the switch 28 is closed,.

the pin 38 being in a longitudinal part ofthe slot 3| and the arm 29 being in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

When the button 33 is moved upwardly one step as viewed in Fig. 3A the bar 32 is moved to its position of Fig. 16 which, as hereinafter explained, prevents operation of the record-changing mechanism. This position is referred to as the manual playing position.4 In this position the motor is in operation. The bar 32 i-s retained in the "manua1 position by engagement of the spring pressed detent 35 with a recess 31 in the edge of the bar 32.

When the button 33 is moved downwardly one step from its position in Fig. 3A the bar 32 is moved into its position of Figs. 1 and 3. In this position the spring pressed detent 35 enters a recess 38. This is the automatic position of the bar 32. When the button 33 is moved downwardly one step further, as viewed in Fig. 3, it attains the reject position which initiates the operation of the record-changing mechanism, as will hereinafter be described. In moving to the reject position the spring pressed detent f` 35 rides upon an inclined projection l39 on the bar 32 and when the button 33 is released the pressure of the detent upon the inclined projection 39 displaces the bar 32 upwardly until it attains the automatic position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In starting the machine the button 33 is moved from its off position shown iny Fig. 3Ajdown two steps to the reject position so as to start the motor and put the record-changing mechanism into operation. On release of the button 33 the bar 32 moves to its "automatic position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. As will be hereinafter explained this operation results in thel rst record being deposited on the turntable and being played.

The player arm 40 is pivotally mounted by means of a horizontal pivot 4| on a bracket 42 rigidly carried by a vertical sleeve 43. The sleeve 43 is rotatably mounted in a standard 44 carried by the motor board 20. The sleeve 43 extends to the lower side of the motor board, where it has mounted rigidly upon it the arms 45 and 46. A rod 41 slidably extends through the sleeve 43 and its upper end is arranged to engage an abutment 48 adjustably and rigidly carried by the player arm 48. When the rod 41 ismoved upwardly the player arm is moved upwardly about its pivot so that the needle is elevated from the record. IIhe lower end of the rod 41 rests upon the upper surface of a cam gear 49. 'Ihe cam gear 49 is at rest when a record is being played and in its position of rest the lower end of the rod 41 is located at thelowest point of a cam formation 59 which extends downwardly from the sure When .means of a` counter'balance spring rotation whereupon the rod 41 moves down the camformation 50 until the needle engages the next record. The `needle pressure is adjusted by 5| which is connected lto the rear end of the player arm and to a lug 52 carried'by the bracket 42. The lug 52 lis provided with a slot 53 through which extends a screw 54 whereby the lug is mounted on the bracket 42. The lug 52 may therefore be adjusted in position to vary the tension of the spring 5| and thereby the pressure of the needle on the record.

The cam gear 49 is mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane between the bracket 24 and the motor board 20. Itis provided with a circumferential series of teeth 55 arranged to cooperate with the teeth of va pinion- 51 rigidly mounted on the turntable spindle 23.l During the playing of a record the mutilation or interruption 56 is opposite the pinion 51 so' that the gear 49 is not driven. In alignment with the interruption 56 the cam gear 49 pivotally carries an L-shaped lever 58 which clears the teeth of the pinion 51 and which is adapted, when released to drop and engage one of a plurality of radial projections 59 which are integralV with ther pinion 51 and which project beyond it-s teeth. During the playing of a record the lever 58 is held clear of the projections 59 by means of a latch 60 which is pivoted at 6| on the upper side of the cam gear 49. When the latch 60 is displaced from its normal position its detent 62 clears the upwardly directed arm 63 of the lever 58 so that this lever drops.

The arm 45-carries a serrated edge 64 which is adapted to slip past the spring pressed dog 6-5 as the needle moves over the record. The dog 65 is carried by the latch 60`and when the movement of the arm45 is reversed, as a result of the needle running into an eccentric groove after the playing 'of the record, the serrated edge 64 carries the dog 65 outwardly and disengages the latch 60 from the lever 59, thus starting the record-changing cycle. The arm 45 carries an abutment 66 which is adapted to engage the latch 60. In the case of a record provided with a spiral rather than an eccentric groove at the inner end ofthe `recording groove the projection 63 engages the latch (il),y as shown in Fig. 18, and swings it so as to release the lever 58 and start the record-changing cycle- During the rotation of the cam gear 49 the upwardly directed arm 63 of the lever 58 is engaged by a formation 61 on the arm 45 so that it is again engaged by the detent 52 of the latch 60. Consequently at the end of one revolution the drive is terminated when the blank space 56 arrives at a position opposite to the pinion 51. The cam gear 49 is retained in this position by means of a spring pressed member 69 which engages a recess in a cam 68y on the upper side of the cam gear 49.

The arm 4-5 carries a downwardly directed cam follower 1I) which is arranged to cooperate with the external cam 1| mounted on the upper surface of the cam gear 49. When the cam gear 5 6 Afl 49 `is in Aits normal"stationariylpositionstherlrolerfff 94 'rineetd to th's-liderfsnand to theistop-So 'I0 is clearo'f the camfl-L'as "shownfin Fi il?? fi t move? the 4slidertl relativeftozthe'sliderv" so that the playerarln abierto inovireflfy-over 81 Eso tha'tltlie-ls'tuda normally engages the'fend the record as the ne'dleffollows the spil-alff'grov of the-slotfSZ f-em'ote from the arm*-'H. The to reproduce the record". Whenfthe-tieve?i5 i dto the lug 88 is much lstrongerA released' in either of 'they' manners frefrr V0 thl'ifthsprin'g V14 so that in normal positionotheifo above the cam gear 49 is rotatedin theldolwisf* twoslidersA 8'1 and have the position shown-in Figisl andSi-vvhen -'the machine'is set for auto-o" moves 'the arm 16 inwardly; earryin'gthe ar y'45* player arm; and consequently the Vplayer armlis I with it eo 'that-theploye'r arriifiemoved inwardly-f quite free f'ffor rrietriudlfmanipulettion. *If theftV towards irritialployingf position ed the' record goplatir ar1ln'-`i`s' in an inrieoosition when th bari f until e surface 1s endfsofddtheiarrr'r 16 'engages i 32 Lis moved to manl'1a1'positionrthe portion an abutment 8| 0n-:anhal- '8'2 Whthtsffc of Athe'a'rml' which' carries'thesurfaces 19 andi] 3U engages the abutment 8| 'the lplayermm* is 80 inward of the slider'VSE). In these circiim' adjustedfor the playing'bf `a tWelvinhlecorH-L" f* Staoes'if the bar 32 is moved to manual posi"` When the abutmetBl Tis engged'-bythesuffag 0 `Aition', thev'l'owei end of lthe slot v85 'engages' the* 79 'the player' arm 'is :movdiihtdinitil lilayi'ng'zfx stud' andoarriesit upwardly as viewed in Fgsfff position for a ten inohieoord.'T'The'fmalnr'in i 1 @11013-7 The Springgd Causes thensldel 99,10. which the lbar` 32 "is imvd'igo :ted fand? {Weltfe follow theff'Stud 86 :thus bringing the lug 95 'into-i3? irren position will lhereiiiefterf-be desieribed 'Belo aliefiine-ntwithfttie durfde-e la fore the erm 1s engeges'the dbiitrri'ent 8a 11635 At :th @11d of the liloyingof the roco'rdthe'v cam follower T0 is brogltT-into leng'agement"with player arm is rno'v'ed outwardly manually andthe the end of a lever' 83 `vvliicl'i's mounted o'nth Curtfed'of the armf'' 4adlalC'elfll thSliIfaCen "i upper side of thecamY Vg'ear'll s'o as to Dro-j Garn; @1161111995 ndts Sliderr 90 dOWlWdllS through the fall 1s of the earn 1|.' Thale-vertaal vill'fdfi; fFigf `1 and 'immediatoly'tho 'end of L is biassed outwardly Ylo'ya relativelyiveakspi g Y40 thelarmwm le's" @helug 95 the ,Spring '94m sa which is 4weaker 'theii'ithefsprin'g "r1 But is mqvos'thfslidr @t upwardly as l'viewed ir`1 'Figurr4 stronger than the tiny sprinef'd. "Coiiseddertiy'i 1 s0 im??? .Ced @'lgagii'h@ Surface 79 Whe the the lever ss holds the lever 45 'against thewoei?I waveform is mol/od in slightly. spring V'14, compressing! :it agi-ngtizth l'ugl- 15 A Iroljecti'on 96 at the outer end of thel surface f When the arm '16 is arrested byng'ef'g wi 19 is arranged tolook the arm' `I6 and the slider* the etutment'tl locating thep'ldyerarrirt initie 90 figg'tlwf it Were-Ilot for the Projection 96, f` playing position the le'veS l'bl'dsth'playe anni* mgl/femm? heb'f '32 Way fmmmahul posi if' against' inward displacement untilthe*tonev Tarih tiofwmdfsut HWthf-iawalfbflthe 1119-95 "Af fromtlle surfac'elil. "'Theleverfl would then i after the gap 56 in the Cami gearcorns op the pinion '57 'so that the driveo-'f-the'camge 1s terminated until `Vthe 'latch"6 0 is again trip at the end 0f the playing O'f the frec'o'rd." The` Y 32 is provided with a relativelylongfslotrS'vvlii 1001s turned upifrom the lower web of a frame l IOI. The frame I| is pivotally mounted on a pini-|02 and'is biassed towards latching-locking position by the spring 'I'|. Also pivotally mounted onthe pin |02 is a frame |04 which embraces the :frame |0|, and a dog |05 which is pivotally mounted `on the lower end of the pin |02. The dog V-I05 is deected from its normal position by the cam'68 at an intermediate position of the' cam'gear 49 as shown in Fig. 3. The outer end ofthe dog |05 lis connected by a spring |06 to a lugA I0'I'on the frame |04. Consequently when the dog |05 is vdeflected as shown in Fig. 3 it Atends to swing the frame |04 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in that figure. The

dog |05 has an upturned lug |08 which normally abuts against the frame |04 under the influence of rthespring |06. The lower web of the frame |0| carries a. downturned lug |09 which engages the lower' arm of the frame |04. Consequently when the frame |04 is swung from its normal positionV by Athe dog |05 as shown in Fig.l 3, the frame |04 carries the'detent |00 clear of the armf^46. This occurs during a normal record changing cycle so that the arm 16 moves the player arm inwardly towards initial playing position and carries the arm 46 clear of the detent |00before the dog |05 clears the cam 68. When the dog I05c1ears the cam 68 the spring Il carries the frame v|0| into locking position and its lug |09 carries the frame l||l|| and dog |05 into their normal positions. These normal positions are dened by the engagement of a tail ||0 onithe upper end vof the frame 04 with a pin carried by the motor board 20. The tail I I0 is adapted to be locked in its normal position by means of a projection I I2 on a sliding bar ||3. It will readily be seen in Fig. 3 that if the bar ||3 is moved to the right the projection ||2 will engage the tail I|0 and hold the frame |04 inits normal position. Operation of the dog |05 merely extends the spring |06 when the frame |04 is thus locked up. This operation occurs When'the cam gear 49 is driven through its cycle after the playing of the last record when no record is in the magazine. Consequently the player arm remains locked out by engagement of the detent |00 with the surface 99.

A bar II4 is slidably mounted on the underside of the motor board 20 by means of slots and studs. The bar |I4 is connected by a link IIS to the bar 32. The connection between the link ||5 `and the bars 32 and ||4 may suitably be provided by down turned lugs on thelink I I5which extend freely into openings in the bars 32 and ||4. .When the bar 32 is moved to manual position, as shown in Fig. 16 a down turned iiange |I6 on the bar ||4 is brought into engagement with the upstanding arm 63 of the lever 58 as shown in Fig. 21 so that this lever cannot make contact with the projections 59. Thus the operation of the camgear 49 is prevented as long asvthe bar 32 is in manual position. The bar ||4 also carries a downwardly directed flange ||1 which is adapted to engage a pin 61 on theA latch 60 when the cam gear 49 is in its normal position and the-bar 32 is moved down to its reject position. When the bar is thus moved the latch 60r is unlatched so that the cam gear 49 is put into rotation. When the button 33 is manually released it moves into its automatic position and the flange II'I is withdrawn from the path of the pin 61'. A lug ||8 turned down from lthe bar ||4 is arranged to engage the upper. lwebpof -rth'ezframe4 |0| when `the barg32 is moved to manual position. This engagement swings the detent.|00y out of engagement with the surface I99 on the arm 4I into engagement with the slopingfsurface 98 on that arm. Consequently when `the bar 32 is in manual position thedetent v|00 serves as a latch for the player arm-and the player arm may be moved inwardly-manually and it may be latched out by simply moving the player arm outwardly.

In theoperation of the machine a stack of records is supported by two escapement heads ||9 and |20 above the turntable 22, the records being positioned by the spindle V23 extending through their centralvopenings. For playing a stack of ten inch records the escapements are located in their position of Fig. 3A, the arrow I2| onathe head |20 lbeing directed towards the spindle 23. fThe escapement heads are provided withshelvesl |22 4which support the stack of ten inch records. During the record changing cycle the headsV II9 and |20 are oscillated in the counterclockwise direction and thenv in the clockwise i direction. The rst movementbrings two blades' |23 into the stack above the' lowermost record,

these blades being locatedv the thickness of one ten inch; record above thefshelves |22, and brings the shelves |22 clear of the lowermost record so that that record falls down on to the turntable.

The return movement carries the blades I 23 clear ofl the stack so that the remaining records drop down and are supported by the shelves |22.

To set the machine for playing a stack of twelve inch recordsthe head |20 gis elevated slightly by its handle |24 and vrotated. in counterclockwise direction to bring the arrow |25 into the radial direction with vrespect 4iso-the spindle 23. The heads ||9 and |20 are mechanically connected so that .the head ||9 is also positioned for the playing of twelve inch records.` The heads IIS and |20 are'provided `with shelves |26for vsupporting twelve inchrecords and blades |21 which are located abovethe shelves I 26 by the thickness of a twelve inch record so that oscillation of the heads |I9 and |20 results in the discharge of the-lowermost twelve inch record on to the turntable. For removal of played records from the turntable Athe handle |24 may be 'raised slightly and both the heads |I9 and |20 may be rotated so that al1 the blades and shelves are moved outwardly and the records may be removed from the turntable by vertical movement. The head I I9 is rigidly mounted on a -sleeve |28 which is rotatablymounted in avstandard |29 carried by the motor board20; At its-lower end the sleeve recess |35 on the shaft |3| to limit the vertical movement ofthe 'head |20. At its lower end the shaft |3| rigid-ly carries a pinion |36. The lower end of the mounting sleeve of the head |20 isl provided witha relatively long vertical slot |31 and a relatively small slot |38. A pin |39 carried by the shaft |3| extends into the long slot |31,

the arrangement being such that the pin |39 is always located in the slot |31 so that the head |20 cannot be rotated independently of the shaft |3|. When the machine is set for ten inch records the slot yI3'Iengagesa projection |40 carried at the. upper end of the'sleeve |32. When the. projection |40 is engaged by the small slot l |38 the heads are inthe twelve .inch position. At its lower end the sleeve |32 rigidly carries an actuating arm 14| v.which effects the `oscillation of the heads ||9 and |20. Pinions |30. and |36 engage sectors |82 and |43 which are .pivotally mounted on the motor.board.20. A link |44 is connected to two. arms vcarriedbythe sectors |42 and |43 so that the pinions |30 and |36. move simultaneously. The arm..|4| ispivotally con.- nected to a link |85 `whichis pivotally connected to an arm |46 pivotally connected to .thebracket 24. The arm |46 carries a cam roller |41 which rides in a cam track |48 on the underside of the cam gear 49. In the normal positionthe roller |41 is located at the position |49 (Fig. 1) .with respect to the cam track |48. part of the movement of. the cam gear49 .the

link |45 remains stationary then moves upwardly' as viewed in Fig. 1V andthen downwardly, elect.- ing the oscillation of the heads H9 vand |20. These heads donot operate until. the playerarm is elevated andmoved outwardly bythe cams50 and 1| The record isdropped when the cam gear 4.9 has made approximately half al revolution so that the record is dropped before the player arm starts to move inwardly towards initial playing position. The movement of the link |45 oscillates the arm I4 and the sleeve |32. The oscillation of the Vsleeve- |32 oscillates the head |20 by virtue of the engagement of the projection |40 with oneof the lslots |31 or |38 and the oscillation of the head |20 Jis communicated to the shaft |3| by virtue of the permanent connection between the pin |39 and the slo-t |31. Consequently the oscillation is communicated to the head ||9 through-the pinion |36, sector |43, link |84, sector |42 a-nd pinion |30. l

The sectors |42 and M3 carrystops |50 which engage the link `|44 in the extreme positions of the escapements. Thesector |43 rigidly carriesv a stepped cam member -|5|. The cam member |5| engages a shoe |52 which is biassed towards it by a spring |53. -The shoel |52 carries a-pin |54 which extends into a slot in the bar 82 lwhich is slidably mounted onthe underside of the motor board 20 by means of la stud |56 carried lby the motor board and extendingthrough a slot |51 vin the bar 82. The bar 82 is ybiassed away vfrom the shoe |52 by means of a spring|58 which is weaker than `the spring |53. lThe 4'abutment 8| is turned down fromthe end of the bar 82 remote from the pi-n 54, this abutment Vcooperating .with the surfaces -19A and v80 of the arm 16 as heretofore described.

The cam' member |5| is provided with two arcuate surfaces |59 and |60 -whichengage the-shoe |52. When 4a twelve :inch record -is being dropped the surfacev |59 cooperates .with .thefshoel52as shown in Fig. 6, -thus `positioning the. abutment 8| opposite the surf-ace 80 of thearm 16.' When the machine is droppinga ten inchrecord the shoe |52 cooperates with-the surifacel |60 and the abutment 8| is located opposite thesurface :1.9 of the arm 16 so that the play-er armis moved-to initial playing-position for a ten inch r-ecord.- The projection |6I at lthe -end ofthesurface'80prevents `the abutment from being 4moved away :from the surface 89 yby manipulationof the escapements into ten inch position when thearm 10 is forcing the surface 80 against theabutmentS-I. lConsequently the player arm is l'notfsnapped inwardly. When the player -arm is again moved outwardly the bar 82 is moved in to the ten inchlpositionfby the spring |53. VI|E -tll1e escapernent Lheadsare moved to the twelve inch position when the -sur` During the first face 19 is .in engagement with the abutment 3| the shoe |52 is moved upwardly as viewed in Fig. 3 but .the bar 82 Ais held against movement by the shoulder ll'lpn the aimvl until the arm 16 is movedoutwardly clear .Qi the. abutment 8|, Whereupon thebarztmovsslnte twelve inch position under the lniluepeepf the., spring k| 50.

.Within-the escapemeltfhead H9 llame |52 iS .DVOtllly mounted at |83. This lframe carries two .contact members It@ and |65 lwhich project through` .theshelves .lend .|122 ofthe escapementheed |19 so lll-latines' .ers depressed by a twelve inch er -tsnlneli .reeerd respectively. The frame f-Inincludesa tail |61,which is perforated to receive a `rod |58 which extends freely through the sleeve 126. The. tell .|01 epeeees e washer |00 mounted ontlle upper eric .ef the rod les. At its lower .endfthe redl. .carries e ,Csm |10 which ispapranged to .engage acam vfollower |1| when no record isrestirlg .orl .the eseepement head ||0 When areeordpi .either .Size .iS resting 0n the SS- capement Ahead the, frame .|82 is swung into its phantompgsltlen .1.11 Fig.- .12elld thssem' |10 is elevated .cleierolf` .the iollower |1 A proieetionalfl? .carried by the pinion |30 projects downwardly intoanpperllns |13 in the Cam l1 so that :the cam 4ese-.illates. .and moves with the escapement M9.

'.Ihe Cem. .-.lfellewer |.1 |v .is meuntedon the upper side of. abracket |14 `which.depends from a frame |15V plvetelly mounted op. e stud .|16 depending from-.the motorboard 2.9. -The bar I |3 is slidably mounted .on theunderside of the motor board by means ora stud |11 which extends through a slot |119 landby means ofaslot |19 which engages thestud |15. r The frame l|15 is yconnected to the ber |13 typte-spring |80. Normally the Home |125. .engages an abutment `|81 on the ber H13. Dwflngto .the advantageous leverage 0f the spring 180931.61' thev leyerage at the position of '0.11.6 abutment |81, the :tension 4of the spring |30 biasses the lbar |13 to theright as viewed in Fig. 13 against anabutment .1l-82. Itwill readily be' understood thatwhen thecam |10 actuates the .cam follower I1-l the :bar M3 is ldisplaced to the left by the spring |80 ,un-less itis held against such displacement. In the event that it is so held the spring expandsand the yframe |15 is merely displaced to the lleftas .viewed in Fig. 13.

AIn addition to theprojection I|2 the bar ||3 carriesa down turned-.projection |83 .and a .down turnedprojection 1.84. -When the bar I3 is moved bythe camill to the leftaswiewed in Fig. 13 .the projection |84A swingsalatch member |85, which is pivoted at |9| on the motor board 20, in the clockwisedirection. yThis movement carries the latch memberlaway. from its .normal yposition in engagement with astop |86 carried on an arm |81, `pivotall-y `mounted .on the `motor board 20 at |01', .andi allows aA dog |88 pivotally mounted onthearm |81 toswi-ng in the clockwisedirection from. its position vin Fig. l13 into its position in Fig. `14. -Theldog |-88fisbiassedtowards the latter position '-.by La spring |89. connected to the dog |88 anditothearm |81. Inits latched condition thetail lof the dog |88 bears against one end of the latchl^|-85, as shown in Fig. lf3. AIn its unlatched conditionas sh'OWnin'Fig. l14 the tail of the=dog :I'8'8.bears vagainst the stop |88 and its outer end `is brought into the path of a yflange |90. The latchmember1| 85^ isbias sed towards the stop |l86y=by -a spring |85 `oonnectedto the member andthe ya'rin'JI-il.

Theil-ange A`l 90 -islb'entvupwardly from the upper flange of aframe- |92 pivotally'mounted on the motor board by means of a pin |93. The frame 192 includes a tail |94 which cooperates with the projection |83 on the bar |13. When the frame 192 is in the position of Fig. 13, that is, when the cam gear 49 is in its normal stationary position, a pin |95 projectingfrom the lower side of the cam gear 49 engages the frame |92 so as to hold it outwardly from the inner position into which it is biassed by a spring 196 connected to the arm 181 and to the tail 194. This inner position is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and is defined by the engagement of the upper flange of the frame 192 with the pivot 19|. In this position the end of the tail 194 is directed towards the projection 183 so that the bar 1|3 is held against movement towards the left as viewed in Fig. 13. The lower ange of the frame |92 carries a cam-shaped projection 191 which is engaged by the pin |95 dui'- ing each rotation of the cam gear 49. In the normal automatic operation of the machine a series of records are played and the switch is automatically opened at the end of the playing of the last record in al manner which will shortly be described. `It is usually necessary to remove the records from the turntable, which involves moving the escapement heads 19 and |20 out of their operating position. After the records are removed the heads are located for the reception of records of the desired size. Since this movement of the escapement heads is effected without a record resting thereon the cam |10 engages the camfollower 111 and the frame |15 is swung about its pivot. The bar |13 being held by engagement of its projection 1'83 against the tail 194, the spring |80 merely expends and the latch |85 remains in the position shown in Fig. 13. Consequently the dog 188 is not released by the latch 185.

After the playing of each record except the last the cam 110 is held above the cam follower 11| so that the bar |13 is not actuated and the dog |88 is latched out. During each revolution of the cam gear 49 the pin |95 moves away from the frame |92 which then moves inwardly into its position in Fig. 14 and near the end of the revolution of the cam gear 49 the pin :195 moves past the cam projection |91, moving the frame 192 outwardly. During such outward movement-the ange |90 on the frame 192 engages the sloping side of the dog |88 so that this dog is merely swung on-its pivot and the arm |81 is notactuated. During each such revolution of the cam gear 49 the caml 68 actuates the dog |05 which swings the frame v|04 and the frame |01 so that the detent |00 clears the arm 46 and the player arm moves into initial playing position.

After the last record has been played the cam gear 49 makes a complete revolution and, since there is no record on the escapement head 119 the cam 110 is in alignment with the cam follower 11 1. The cam follower 111 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 13 by the cam rise 198 in the casev of a ten inch record and by the cam rise |99 in the case of a twelve inch record. Since the movement of the cam follower |11 occurs after the pin |95 has clear the frame 192, the projection |83 is opposite a recess 200 in the tail 194 of the frame 192 so that the bar 113 is moved by the cam |10 into its position of Fig. 14. Its projection 184 swings the latch |85 clear of the dog |88 so that the tail of the dog engages the stop 186. At the same time the projection 12 on the bar 13 moves below the tail |10 of the frame 104. This occurs before the dog |05 engages thecam 68 so that the cam does not unlock the player arm and the player arm remains in its locked out position.

` end of the dog |88, with the result that the dog |88' and the arm |81 are movedoutwardly so that the end 20,1 of the arm.181 engages a lug 202 onV the bar 32 and carries the bar into the off position, opening the switch 28. After the switch is opened, as is shown in Fig. 13, the cam gear 49 coasts into itsnormal position and the elements resume .their positions of this iigure with the exception that the bar 3,2 is moved up one step to its .oif position. When the arm |81 is moved outwardly as shown in Fig. 15 the dog |88 clears the latch 185 so that the latch now engages the stop 186. Consequently the tail of the dog |88 engages the end of the latch andis swung in counterclockwise direction into its normal position as the arm 181 returns to its normal position of Fig. 13. It is to be noted that the arm |81 is biassed inwardly by the springs |85' and |96 against a suitable stop. The arm |81 may contact the lug 118 in the manual and off positions of the bar 32 and may contactthe pivot pin |02 in the other positions of the bar 112.`

While the completo mechanism and its manner of operation will readily appear from the foregoing description thereof, certain salient features of the machine are now set forth briefly. The escapement heads 119 and |20 valways move simultaneously. They may be moved to the position for either size of record by merely raising the escapement head 120 slightly and rotating it to desired position. In the same way the escapement heads may be moved out of alignment with the records ony the turntable so that these records may be removed. Merelyraisingthe escapement head 120 slightly disconnects the mechanical drive of the heads. Manual operation of the escapement head 120 is usually effected when the machine is out of, operation so that the bar 13 is prevented from` moving to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 by the tail 1940i 'the frame |92. Thus latch |85 remains in its normalv position. If this latch were unlatched by manual manipulation of the escapement head |20,-the motor would stop at the end of the rst revolution of the cam gear 49. When a record is dropped from the turntable during a rotation of the cam gear 49 thebar 113 is not actuated becausethe recordonthe escapement 119 holds the cam |10 elevated above the cam follower 11| Vduring the displacement of the cam |10 which would eifect the displacement of the bar 1|3 if there had been no record on the escapement heads. After the last record has been played` the cam gear 49 makes a complete revolution. In this casethe cam 110 in its lower positionand itmoves the barA |13 to the left as viewedv in Fig. 13 vat a time when the frame 192 is in its inner position. This moves the latch |85 to unlatched position and allowswthe dog |88 to assume operative positionrelative -to the flange so that near the end of the revolution of the cam gear 49 the pin |95 forces the frame 192 outwardlyand forces the arm 181 outwardly, moving the bar 32 to off position. When the bar 32 is in manual position the detent A101| is merely a latch. When thebar 32 isin automatic posicastano tion, the detent .lllisalock and the player armv is locked out4 and the player `armlis positively locked out kwhen it is moved .intoits outermostl position. During leach record changing cycle of the cam gear e9 the-dog, ,lactuates the frame |04 so as to unlock the playerarm and permit it to move inwardly to initial playing position. When, however, thecam gear 49 moves the bar H3 to thevleft as viewed in Fig. 1 after thelast record has been played, the ,frame |94 is held inoperative by engagement of,1 the projection `H2 with the tail l ID so that `theirplayernarm remains locked out after themotor switch has been opened by the displacement oi thebar 32uby` the arm |81 from automatic to oil,J position.

Although the invention has been described in connection with specific details ofa preferred embodiment thereoit vmustbe.understood that such details are not intended to limitative of the ,invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims. v i

Having thus described that what I claim is:

1. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a control switch, arecord dropping escapement head, means for oscillating s aid 'h'ead to discharge the lowermost record therefrom for reproduction, a cam movable Vwith the escapement head, means foropening said control switch, means including a cam follower adapted to condition the switch opening .means for automatic operation, and means on saidhead adapted to be engaged by a record thereon to displace the cam out of operative engagement with the cam follower, whereby the means for opening the control switch is maintained out of condition for operation as long as a record is supported on the escapement head.

2. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a player arm, a turntable, a motor for driving the turntable, a switch controlling the motor, means for opening said switch, a record dropping escapement adaptedlto'support -alstack or" recorcls cam means ,controlling a record changing cycle periodically including means for moving the player arm outwardly and inwardly and means for actuating said escapement to drop a record on the turntable while" the player arm is out, a memberv arranged. .to..be displaced Ato condition said switch opening means for actuation by said cam means, resilient means connecting said displaceable member to said escapement, means arranged to be actuated by a, record on the escapement for disconnecting the escapement from the member, and latch means controlled by the cam means in its normal position for preventing displacement of said member when the escapement is actuated manually with no record thereon.

3. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a player arm, a turntable, a motor for driving the turntable, a switch controlling the motor, means for opening said switch, a record dropping escapement adapted to support a stack of records, a cam wheel adapted to make a cycle occasionally to move the player arm out and in and actuate the Cscapeinent to release a record therefrom, an arm to move said switch opening means, a dog pivot-ally mounted on said arm, a swinging member adapted to actuate said arm by means of said dog, a latch normally holding said dog in inoperative position, means biassing said swinging member to a denite position, a member on said cam wheel adapted to swing said member near the end of its revolution to an exrny invention, I' declare treme; position, and normallyr vto ,maintainntheswinging4 member in an intermediate, position, a. member..A actuable by the., escapement .to -1 release said latch, means .onsaid swinging .member to prevent. such...actuation. when.. thev swinging member is in its .normal intermediate position.KV

i .4.. In. a. record@ dropping. automatic phonograph, in. combination,4 anv escapement head, means for oscillating saidhead, a. Vcam .movablewith said head, means .for ,disconnecting saidheadrom said oscillating` .means,.. whereby. the; head..may be.. adjusted into one, of., aA plurality y of normal positions -for supporting records of. denite sizes. a displaceable member: .including a cam `fo11ower adapted to engage said cam, saidcam having-.a plurality ofv effectively similar -ormations ..to establish the same. operative., .relation with the iollowerin all said normalpositionsof the escapement. head, andv` means engaged-.byarecord on the escapement head .fonmoving said. cam. clear oi .the follower.

.5.. In arecord dropping automaticphonograph, in. combination, an. escapement .head,..means3for oscillating` .said head.. a cam. movablewith.; said head, means for.disconnecting..saidheadk from said oscillating. means,.wherebyk .ther .headmay be .adjusted into. one. of.. a..plu ra1ityof normal positions .for supporting records ofv denitesizes, adisplaceable member including a cam follower adapted .to engage said..cam, said ncami having a .plurality .of eiiectively; similar formations. Ltov establish :the same operative .relation...with .the followerin. all said normal` positions. of the escape-"- ment heads, meansengaged.byarecord onvthe escapement head `for .moving said, camclearmof the follower, and .means controlled. by said. displaceable member' for.. conditioning-the. .phonograph for automatic stopping.

6. In an automatic.phonograph,` in combination, a pair of recordy dropping;escapementheads; inseparable .means connectingkthem forvsimul-v taneous movement, operating .'means` for-said escapement heads, separable means .connecting said. operatingv means toone yof -the headsfsaid one off'the .headsbeing movable; tol effect'gthe separation,..whereby fthe. separation may beeffected and. all the .heads may.- be. adjusted- -ltorany' oa'. plurality of normal positionsdor 'support'- ingrecordsof denitesizes byV manual actuation of said one of the heads, a cam oscillatable with one of the heads, a displaceable member including a cam follower normally engageable by said cam, said cam having a plurality of effectually similar cam formations whereby similar cam and follower relations are established in any of the said plurality of normal positions of the heads, means on the head associated with said cam adapted to be engaged by a record on the head to clear the cam from the follower, and means controlled by said displaceable member for conditioning the phonograph for automatic stopping.

7. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a pair of record dropping escapement heads. inseparable means connecting them for simultaneous movement, operating means for said escapement heads, separable means connecting said operating means to one of the heads, said one of the heads being movable to eect the separation, whereby the separation may be effected and all the heads may be adjusted to any of a plurality of normal positions for supporting records of denite sizes by manual actuation of said one of the heads, a cam oscillatable with one .of the heads, a displaceable member including acam vf'ollwer normally-engageable by said cam,- said cam having a plurality of eflectually similar cam formations whereby similar cam and follower relations are Aestablished in anyof the said plurality of normal positions of the heads, means on. the head associated with said cam adapted to be engaged by a record on the head to clear the cam from the follower, means controlledby said displaceable member for conditioning the phonograph for automatic stopping, operating means for moving therplayer arm out and in to initial playing position, a movable abutmenty adapted to .be located in any of a plurality of positions corresponding to the positions of the escapement heads, and cam means operatively connected to the heads for correspondingly locating said yabutment means.

8. In an'v automatic phonograph, in combination,v a pair of record dropping escapement heads, inseparable means connecting them for simultaneous movement, operating means for said escapement heads, separable means connecting said operating means to one of the heads, said one of the heads being movable to elect the separation, whereby the separation may be effected and all the heads maybe adjusted to any of a plurality of normal positions for supporting records of definite sizes by manual actuation of said one of the heads, a cam oscillatable with one of the headsa displaceableA member including a cam follower lnormallyengageable by said cam, said cam having a plurality of eifectually similar cam formations whereby similar cam and follower relations are established in any of the said plurality of normal positions of the heads, means on the head associated with said cam adapted to be engaged by a record on the head to clear the cam from the follower, a latch adapted to be released` by said displaceable member, an arm movable to stop the phonograph, a swinging member, means for swinging the member after theescapement heads have been operated, a dog on said arm adapted to cooperate with the swinging member to swing the arm to stop the phonograph, said .dog being normally held in inoperative position by said latch, and means normally positioning said swinging member to prevent displacement of `said displaceable member. 9. In an automatic phonograph, in combina- 16 tion; apair, of record .dropping escapement heads, inseparable means connecting them for simultaneous movement, operating means for said escapement `hea'd's,'separable means connecting said operating meansrto oneV ofthe heads, said one of the heads beingmovable to effect the separation, whereby.' the separation may be effected and all the lheads may be adjusted to any of a plurality of normal positions for supporting records of defin nite'sizesby manual actuation of said one of the heads, a cam oscillatable with one of the heads, a displaceable member including a cam follower normally engageable by said cam, said cam havu ing a pluralityof eifectually similar cam formations whereby similar cam and follower relations are 'establishedin any of the said plurality of normal positions of the heads, means on the head associated'with said cam adapted to be engaged by a record on the head to clear the cam from the follower, a latch vadapted to be released by saiddisplaceable member, an arm movable to stop the phonograph, a swinging member, means for swinging the member after the escapement heads have been operated, a dog on said arm adapted to cooperate with the swinging member to swing the arm to s top the phonograph, said dog being normally held in inoperativev position by said latch, means normally. positioning said swinging member to prevent displacement of said displaceable member, operating means for moving the player arm out and in to initial playing position, a movable abutment adapted to be located in any of a plurality of positions corresponding to the said normal positions of the escapement heads, and cam means operatively connected to the heads for correspondingly locating said abutment means.

CARL G. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

n UNITED "STATES PATENTS Number.l

' Wissner May 11, 1943 

